2014 Motorcycle Cannonball: Team American Iron

Buzz Kanter working on his 1929 Harley during the 2012 Motorcycle Cannonball.

The Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance Run is returning for 2014, and it will be the most challenging to date. This will be the third running of the coast-to-coast endurance ride for classic motorcycles and riders.

The 2014 Motorcycle Cannonball will start in Daytona Beach, Fla, on Sept. 5 and cover more than 4,000 miles to Tacoma, Wash., on Sept. 21. The event is open to riders on 1936 or older motorcycles. The field, which allows 100 riders, is reported to already be sold out with a waiting list.

Four longtime enthusiasts and good friends are joining forces to create the first-ever Team American Iron specifically for the 2014 Motorcycle Cannonball ride. Paul Ousey and Buzz Kanter competed in both previous Motorcycle Cannonballs and Cris Sommer Simmons competed in the first one. This will be Pat Simmons’ first time riding the Cannonball. The team consists of four riders, two mechanics, and a support truck manager/driver.

American Iron Magazine will be following the team’s progress in print and online, from building and prepping the four classic Harley-Davidson motorcycles, through the coast-to-coast ride. Two riders (Paul and Pat) plan on competing in J-series Harleys, and the other two (Cris and Buzz) will be riding Harley V-series flatheads.

Buzz Kanter. Buzz is the publisher of American Iron Magazine, Motorcycle Bagger, American IronGarage and recently renamed Motorcycle magazine (formerly RoadBike). A longtime collector and rider of antique motorcycles, Buzz rode a 1915 Harley twin in the first Motorcycle Cannonball, and his 1929 Harley JDH “Two Cam” on the second one. Buzz has been inducted into all three Motorcycle Halls of Fame. Buzz plans to compete on his 1936 Harley VLH flathead in 2014.

Paul Ousey. Paul, a longtime collector and rider of classic motorcycles, competed in the first Motorcycle Cannonball on his 1913 single-cylinder belt drive Harley. He partnered with Buzz Kanter and Jim Petty on the second Motorcycle Cannonball in 2012 on his 1925 Harley JE. In 2014 Paul plans to compete on the same 1925 Harley J-series he rode on the 2012 Motorcycle Cannonball.

Pat Simmons. Pat is a longtime collector, mechanic, and rider of antique motorcycles. When not off wrenching or riding his classic motorcycles, Pat makes his living as a musician. He is one of the lead singers and a founding member of the Grammy Award winning Doobie Brothers. Pat acted as support staff for his wife Cris and her 1915 Harley Effie on the first Motorcycle Cannonball. For 2014 Pat plans to compete on his 1929 Harley JD.

Cris Sommer Simmons. Cris is one of the founders of Harley Women magazine, the author of several motorcycle books, including Cannonball Diary and The American Motorcycle Girls 1900-1950, and is a regular columnist in American Iron Magazine. Cris rode her 1915 Harley twin on the first Motorcycle Cannonball in 2010. She has been inducted into all three Motorcycle Halls of Fame and is married to Pat Simmons. Cris plans to compete on her 1934 Harley VD flathead in 2014.

Team American Iron Support Staff

Steve Coe. Coe, a veteran mechanic of both previous Motorcycle Cannonball events, is the chief mechanic for Team American Iron. Coe is a longtime mechanic and road racer of classic motorcycles.

Michael Weesner. "Weeze," who helped wrench on the second Motorcycle Cannonball, is the support mechanic for Team American Iron. Weeze is a longtime vintage motorcycle mechanic and enthusiast.

Paul Tanaka. "Ponytail Paul" is the manager and driver of the Team American Iron support truck.

About Motorcycle Cannonball

Started by Lonnie Isam, Jr. in 2010 as a coast-to-coast endurance ride for antique motorcycles, this will be the third and longest Motorcycle Cannonball ride to date. For more information please visit www.MotorcycleCannonball.com.

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